New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman received a cortisone injection to address swelling and inflammation in his left knee, prompting his placement on the 15-day injured list.
Marcus Stroman’s knee injury diagnosis
The issue became apparent after Stroman reported discomfort following his difficult start against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. During that outing, he lasted just two-thirds of an inning, surrendering five earned runs in a 9-1 loss played in persistent rain. Following the game, Stroman underwent medical imaging to assess the extent of his knee discomfort.
“The MRI was good, but he had some swelling in there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone explained Sunday. “We’re trying to eliminate that and hopefully get him ramped up pretty quickly. Ideally, this cortisone shot really helps him move forward.”
Timeline for return uncertain
Boone expressed uncertainty about how long Stroman might remain sidelined but indicated optimism regarding a relatively brief absence. When asked if the rainy conditions contributed to Stroman’s knee issues, Boone was noncommittal.
“I’m not even sure,” Boone said. “Watching the video, it’s clear he wasn’t finishing properly on his front leg, and I think that was due to the knee discomfort.”
This setback is particularly concerning given Stroman’s history with left knee injuries. He previously underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in the same knee on March 19, 2015, an injury that sidelined him for much of that season until he returned in September.
Clarke Schmidt to Step into Rotation
In Stroman’s absence, Clarke Schmidt will join the Yankees’ rotation, taking the mound on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals. Schmidt, fully recovered from right rotator cuff inflammation, will be making his season debut.
Stroman’s early-season struggles have compounded the Yankees’ pitching concerns. The 33-year-old right-hander currently holds an 0-1 record and an 11.57 ERA across three starts. His abbreviated outing against the Giants, where he yielded a three-run home run to Jung Hoo Lee and a two-run double to LaMonte Wade Jr., marked the shortest non-weather interrupted start of his career.
Contract situation adds pressure
Entering the second year of a two-year, $37 million contract, Stroman is approaching a pivotal period. His contract contains a conditional $16 million player option for the 2026 season, which activates if he logs at least 140 innings pitched this year. The right-hander is set to turn 34 on May 1, adding urgency to his recovery timeline.
In the previous season, Stroman provided the Yankees with a mixed performance. He finished 2024 with a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA over 30 appearances (29 starts), pitching a total of 154 2/3 innings—his highest total since 2021 with the New York Mets. However, his effectiveness waned in the second half, resulting in his exclusion from the postseason roster during the Yankees’ run to their first World Series appearance since 2009.
The Yankees now face the challenge of managing their pitching depth early in the 2025 campaign, with the immediate goal of stabilizing the rotation until Stroman returns healthy and effective.
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